For most of my adult life Sunday mornings have been the most hectic days of the week...and I realize that is in stark contrast to many people, and certainly the people of TV and advertising for whom Sunday mornings are idyllic brunches, coffee, and a leisurely read newspaper. Not so for pastors...we're more like pro football players for whom Sunday mornings are preparations, final touches, reviews of plans before a game (worship service in pastors' cases) begins.
But I have just two Sundays left in Bismarck, and today a nice fog has rolled in...which means cooler weather which means Fall is coming which means hunting season in almost here. But this Sunday has a certain relaxedness to it even though I leave for church in a few minutes...Almost everything I own that I care about can fit into my new Camaro...I thought I would need a truck, but it turns out I don't...I don't care about enough stuff to fill a truck (and--yes--I have room in the car for my wife...geesh!!)
I cannot believe how much I've seen and learned about our God from the people up here in North Dakota...it has been a true blessing to meet people like Jay, Jean, Laura, and Laine who put me up eight years ago. People like Laurie, Tom, Erin, Beth, Monroe, Mark, Duane, Chris, Trisha, Tim, and all the others who made working so fun. People like Bruce L, Bob, Ron, and Bruce K, Jen, Josie, Amber, and Claire who kept me sane while the world spun out of control...countless parishioners and folks who made their lives available to me in hospitals, congregations, bars, restaurants, gas stations, stores, and wherever so I could see God at work in the world. All the folks like Jerry and Marla, Bob and Nancy, Steve and Max, Gary--even John, Jim, Marci, Evelyn, Ron and Darlene, Bob and Joanne, Marv and Lois, Bev, Con and Gen, the sisters and their families, Shirley and Mike, Jerry and Char, Dick and Marilyn who supported me in prayer and money over the years. Amazing to see God in action through them.
There are way too many people to name them all, and I am sure some will be forgotten, and I hope many can be remembered. Well...it's almost time for church...although we've been doing thatever since I landed in this town...thanks to everyone.
May your tables be full and your conversations be true.
Your Blog Steward
- Scott Frederickson
- Omaha, Nebraska, United States
- What to say about me? I know some stuff about old-school congregational and parish ministry...new-school stuff is a work in progress. I guess there's about three things I consider important for authentic relationships, which is what "church" and "God" is all about: integrity, surrendering, and trust. You miss any of those, and you miss out on a good relationship. Over the last couple of years people have wanted to know a bit more about me, but you should know I like bourbon, my wife, my children, hunting, playing the guitar, and reading...not in that order. And right now, I am on a Knob Creek kick...thanks to all my friends for remembering me. Over the years a couple of people have asked if they knew me "back when..." so: yes, I'm from the Minneapolis, MN area, I went to Gustavus Adolphus College in St.Peter, MN, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and I did my doctorate at Luther Seminary in St. Paul...and from a long time ago I was at the University of Texas-Austin for a bit.
1 comments:
Jerry and I both want to let you know how much we appreciate all you and Chris did for both our personal and spiritual lives. You may leave Bismarck but you will never be forgotten. Safe travels and God Bless!
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